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How to Say ‘What it's called here’ in Portuguese

Como se chama cá

koh-moo see SHAH-mah kah

[koh-moo see SHAH-mah kah]

💬 Usage Tip: cá is the European Portuguese word for "here" when it means "in this country or place". Brazilians would say aqui.

Phrase Breakdown

Como

[koh-moo]

How

Used to ask the manner or condition something is in.

Example

Perguntei-me: Como vou fazer isso?

I asked myself: How will I do that?

se chama cá

see SHAH-mah kah

it's called here

'Se chama' means 'is called'. 'Se' is barely voiced, like 'suh'. 'Cá' is an open 'kah' and means 'here' in the sense of 'in this country'.

Example

O pão se chama assim cá.

That's what bread is called here.

Words in this phrase

[see]

itself

Reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or to reflect action.

Example

A história se repete.

History repeats itself.

chama

[SHAH-mah]

calls

A form of 'chamar' (to call); with 'se' it means 'is called' or 'is named'.

Example

Como se chama o teu pai?

What is your father's name?

cá

[kah]

here

An informal word meaning here, often used in spoken Portuguese.

Example

Cá o esperamos no sábado à noite.

We’ll be expecting you here on Saturday night.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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